The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has heightened health surveillance across the nation’s airports following the confirmation of an Ebola Virus Disease case in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The federal government had earlier confirmed a case of Ebola Virus Disease in the FCT, involving a woman who recently arrived in Nigeria on an international flight from Uganda.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, who disclosed this, said the patient was admitted to a private hospital in the FCT, where she received treatment for several days before the diagnosis was confirmed.
He added that the woman has been isolated and is currently receiving medical care, while public health authorities have activated emergency response measures to contain the virus, noting that 44 close contacts have been identified.
In a statement signed by its Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, FAAN said it was aware of the confirmed case and was working with relevant agencies to support containment efforts.
Mr Agbebire said the authority is collaborating with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Port Health Services, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and other relevant agencies.
He said the early identification of the case and the commencement of contact tracing underscored the importance of established public health protocols, effective surveillance and inter-agency collaboration in responding to potential health threats.
“FAAN is maintaining heightened vigilance across airport operations and will continue to coordinate with public health authorities, align its response with further guidance and support additional measures considered necessary to safeguard passengers, airport personnel and the wider public,” the statement said.
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The authority urged passengers, airport users, airlines and other stakeholders to remain calm, vigilant and cooperative with health officials.
It also advised the public to rely on verified information and avoid spreading unconfirmed reports.
“FAAN reassures the travelling public of its continued readiness to work with relevant agencies to protect public health and support the safe operation of Nigeria’s airports,” Mr Agbebire added.
Nigeria recorded an Ebola outbreak in 2014 after an infected traveller from Liberia arrived in Lagos. The World Health Organisation (WHO) later declared Nigeria free of Ebola transmission on 20 October 2014, after 42 days without a new case.
WHO records show that the 2014 response involved rapid case detection, isolation and extensive contact tracing, with 19 confirmed cases, one probable case and eight deaths.
The latest case in Abuja comes amid an ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where the disease has spread across several provinces.
